Hobart City Council General Manager, Brent Armstrong, is confident that Council will be able to provide ‘service as usual’ on the change to and into the next millennium.
He said Council is fully aware of the importance of the Year 2000 issue and is implementing strategies to ensure continuation of services to residents and ratepayers.
“In particular, we are aware of possible health and safety issues associated with the millennium bug,” he said.
“The first agenda item onthe Corporate Management Team’s fortnightly meeting is the Y2K project.”
A Year 2000 Committee was set up in 1997. Two employees have been seconded to work full time on this project.
In addition, a Y2K operations room displays the documented progress on Y2K testing and compliance. This area includes a stand alone test system for Council’s major corporate software including rating, property and financials.
All systems have been given a compliance completion date, based on priority order, well ahead of the year’s end.
While all assets and services are being evaluated for Y2K compliance, four main areas have been identified for critical attention. These are supply of water; treatment of waste water; Tattersalls Hobart Aquatic Centre; and Council’s information Technology systems.
Council has presented Y2K awareness sessions to staff to enable them to understand the importance and possible ramifications of the millennium bug.
Consultation is continuing with suppliers of services, such as Council’s bulk water supplier and the State Traffic Authority, to ensure ‘end to end’ compliance.
Signing of Council’s Year 2000 Compliance Agreement is now part of the ordering process for all new equipment and services.
For further information contact Year 2000 Coordinator, Barry Kelly, telephone (03) 6238 2773.
